Flowable bulk granular polysaccharide

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising polysaccharide particles with an average size of about 0.1-10 mm. These particles comprise at least (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weight insoluble alpha-glucan, or an insoluble cationic ether thereof, comprising alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages and having a weight-average degree of polymerization (DPw) of at least about 100. Further disclosed are methods of preparing these compositions, as well as systems for storing and/or moving them.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos.62/571,995 (filed Oct. 13, 2017) and 62/725,532 (filed Aug. 31, 2018),which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure is in the field of polysaccharide materials. Forexample, the disclosure pertains to compositions comprising insolublealpha-glucan particles having advantageous flow properties.

BACKGROUND

Driven by a desire to use polysaccharides in various applications,researchers have explored for polysaccharides that are biodegradable andthat can be made economically from renewably sourced feedstocks. Onesuch polysaccharide is alpha-1,3-glucan, an insoluble glucan polymercharacterized by having alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages. This polymer hasbeen prepared, for example, using a glucosyltransferase enzyme isolatedfrom Streptococcus salivarius (Simpson et al., Microbiology141:1451-1460, 1995). Also for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,000disclosed the preparation of a spun fiber from enzymatically producedalpha-1,3-glucan. Various other glucan materials have also been studiedfor developing new or enhanced applications. For example, U.S. PatentAppl. Publ. No. 2015/0232819 discloses enzymatic synthesis of severalinsoluble glucans having mixed alpha-1,3 and -1,6 linkages.

Typically, bulk granular materials with high moisture contents have poormaterial handling characteristics such as low flowability, which cannegatively impact downstream operations (e.g., storage and transport)with such materials. Expensive and complicated equipment are generallynecessary to handle high moisture bulk materials. Addressing thisproblem with respect to polysaccharide-based materials, disclosed hereinare high moisture insoluble alpha-glucan compositions with advantageousflow properties.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure concerns a compositioncomprising particles with an average size of about 0.1-10 mm, whereinthe particles comprise at least (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or anaqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weight insolublealpha-glucan or an insoluble cationic ether thereof, wherein theinsoluble alpha-glucan comprises alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages and has aweight-average degree of polymerization (DPw) of at least 100.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure concerns a method ofpreparing a composition as disclosed herein, the method comprising: (a)providing a first composition comprising at least (i) about 50%-90% byweight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weightinsoluble alpha-glucan or an insoluble cationic ether thereof, and (b)providing particles of the first composition with an average size ofabout 0.1-10 mm.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure concerns a system forstoring and/or moving a composition as disclosed herein, wherein thesystem comprises a container with at least one openable/closabledischarge outlet located in the bottom portion of the container, whereinat least a portion of the container is tapered towards the dischargeoutlet, and wherein the composition is in the container and continuouslyflows out of the container when the discharge outlet is open.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure concerns a system fortransporting a composition as disclosed herein, wherein the systemcomprises a conduit and gas to transport the composition through theconduit, optionally wherein the operating pressure of the system isabout 5-105 psia, and optionally wherein the gas is air or an inert gas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosures of all cited patent and non-patent literature areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Unless otherwise disclosed, the terms “a” and “an” as used herein areintended to encompass one or more (i.e., at least one) of a referencedfeature.

Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable, except asotherwise noted. For example, when a range of “1 to 5” (i.e., 1-5) isrecited, the recited range should be construed as including ranges “1 to4”, “1 to 3”, “1-2”, “1-2 & 4-5”, “1-3 & 5”, and the like.

The terms “alpha-glucan”, “alpha-glucan polymer” and the like are usedinterchangeably herein. An alpha-glucan is a polymer comprising glucosemonomeric units linked together by alpha-glycosidic linkages. In typicalembodiments, an alpha-glucan herein comprises at least about 80%, 81%,82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%,96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% alpha-glycosidic linkages. Examples ofalpha-glucan polymers herein include alpha-1,3-glucan.

The terms “poly alpha-1,3-glucan”, “alpha-1,3-glucan”, “alpha-1,3-glucanpolymer” and the like are used interchangeably herein. Alpha-1,3-glucanis a polymer comprising glucose monomeric units linked together byglycosidic linkages, wherein at least about 30% of the glycosidiclinkages are alpha-1,3. Alpha-1,3-glucan in certain embodimentscomprises at least about 90% or 95% alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages. Mostor all of the other linkages in alpha-1,3-glucan herein typically arealpha-1,6, though some linkages may also be alpha-1,2 and/or alpha-1,4.

The terms “glycosidic linkage”, “glycosidic bond”, “linkage” and thelike are used interchangeably herein and refer to the covalent bond thatjoins a carbohydrate (sugar) molecule to another group such as anothercarbohydrate. The term “alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkage” as used hereinrefers to the type of covalent bond that joins alpha-D-glucose moleculesto each other through carbons 1 and 3 on adjacent alpha-D-glucose rings.The term “alpha-1,6-glycosidic linkage” as used herein refers to thecovalent bond that joins alpha-D-glucose molecules to each other throughcarbons 1 and 6 on adjacent alpha-D-glucose rings. The glycosidiclinkages of a glucan polymer herein can also be referred to as“glucosidic linkages”. Herein, “alpha-D-glucose” is referred to as“glucose”.

The glycosidic linkage profile of an alpha-glucan herein can bedetermined using any method known in the art. For example, a linkageprofile can be determined using methods using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy (e.g., ¹³C NMR or ¹H NMR). These and other methodsthat can be used are disclosed in, for example, Food Carbohydrates:Chemistry, Physical Properties, and Applications (S. W. Cui, Ed.,Chapter 3, S. W. Cui, Structural Analysis of Polysaccharides, Taylor &Francis Group LLC, Boca Raton, Fla., 2005), which is incorporated hereinby reference.

The “molecular weight” of large alpha-glucan polymers herein can berepresented as weight-average molecular weight (Mw) or number-averagemolecular weight (Mn), the units of which are in Daltons or grams/mole.Alternatively, the molecular weight of large alpha-glucan polymers canbe represented as DPw (weight average degree of polymerization) or DPn(number average degree of polymerization). The molecular weight ofsmaller alpha-glucan polymers such as oligosaccharides typically can beprovided as “DP” (degree of polymerization), which simply refers to thenumber of glucoses comprised within the alpha-glucan. Various means areknown in the art for calculating these various molecular weightmeasurements such as with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC),size exclusion chromatography (SEC), or gel permeation chromatography(GPC).

The terms “particle”, “particulate”, “granule”, “grain”, “fleck” andother like terms are interchangeably used herein. A particle herein hasan average size (or average nominal size) of about 0.1-10 mm(millimeter). The terms “particulated”, “granulated”, and other liketerms, can be used to characterize particles of insoluble glucan (orcationic ether thereof) herein. Particle size in some aspects can referto particle diameter and/or the length of the longest particledimension. The average size can be based on the average of diametersand/or longest particle dimensions of at least 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2500,5000, or 10000 or more particles, for example.

The term “powder-like” and similar terms can optionally be used hereinto characterize granulated insoluble glucan (or cationic ether thereof)as resembling a powder in texture and/or appearance. A “powder” isgenerally defined as any solid substance reduced to a state of fine,loose particles, with a water content of less than 20 wt % (typicallylower such as less than 15, 10, 5, 3, 1, 0.5, or 0.1 wt %). The termpowder-like differentiates from powder as defined above, since thedisclosed composition has at least about 50 wt % water or aqueoussolution.

A “particle-forming device” and other like terms herein refer to anydevice that can be used to prepare particles of insoluble glucan (orcationic ether thereof) from a larger form/preparation of the insolubleglucan (or cationic ether thereof) such as a filter cake.

The terms “glucosyltransferase”, “glucosyltransferase enzyme”, “GTF”,“glucansucrase” and the like are used interchangeably herein. Theactivity of a glucosyltransferase herein catalyzes the reaction of thesubstrate sucrose to make the products alpha-glucan and fructose. Otherproducts (by-products) of a GTF reaction can include glucose, varioussoluble gluco-oligosaccharides, and leucrose. Wild type forms ofglucosyltransferase enzymes generally contain (in the N-terminal toC-terminal direction) a signal peptide (which is typically removed bycleavage processes), a variable domain, a catalytic domain, and aglucan-binding domain. A glucosyltransferase herein is classified underthe glycoside hydrolase family 70 (GH70) according to the CAZy(Carbohydrate-Active EnZymes) database (Cantarel et al., Nucleic AcidsRes. 37:D233-238, 2009).

The terms “enzymatic reaction”, “glucosyltransferase reaction”, “glucansynthesis reaction”, “reaction composition”, “reaction formulation” andthe like are used interchangeably herein and generally refer to areaction that initially comprises water, sucrose, at least one activeglucosyltransferase enzyme, and optionally other components.

A “cake” of insoluble alpha-glucan (or cationic ether thereof) hereinrefers to a preparation in condensed, compacted, packed, squeezed,and/or compressed form that comprises at least (i) about 50%-90% byweight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weightinsoluble alpha-glucan. A cake in some aspects can be referred to as a“filter cake” or a “wet cake”.

The terms “percent by volume”, “volume percent”, “vol %”, “v/v %” andthe like are used interchangeably herein. The percent by volume of asolute in a solution can be determined using the formula: [(volume ofsolute)/(volume of solution)]×100%.

The terms “percent by weight”, “weight percentage (wt %)”,“weight-weight percentage (% w/w)” and the like are used interchangeablyherein. Percent by weight refers to the percentage of a material on amass basis as it is comprised in a composition, mixture, or solution.

The terms “sequence identity”, “identity” and the like as used hereinwith respect to a polypeptide amino acid sequence are as defined anddetermined in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2017/0002336, which isincorporated herein by reference.

The terms “aqueous liquid”, “aqueous fluid” and the like as used hereincan refer to water or an aqueous solution. An “aqueous solution” hereincan comprise one or more dissolved salts, where the maximal total saltconcentration can be about 3.5 wt % in some embodiments. Althoughaqueous liquids herein typically comprise water as the only solvent inthe liquid, an aqueous liquid can optionally comprise one or more othersolvents (e.g., polar organic solvent) that are miscible in water. Thus,an aqueous solution can comprise a solvent having at least about 80 wt %water.

A glucan, or cationic ether derivative thereof, that is “insoluble”,“aqueous-insoluble”, “water-insoluble” (and like terms) (e.g., insolublealpha-1,3-glucan) does not dissolve (or does not appreciably dissolve)in water or other aqueous conditions, optionally where the aqueousconditions are further characterized to have a pH of 4-9 (e.g. pH 6-8)and/or temperature of about 1 to 85° C. (e.g., 20-25° C.). In contrast,glucans such as certain oligosaccharides herein that are “soluble”,“aqueous-soluble”, “water-soluble” and the like (e.g., alpha-1,3-glucanwith a DP less than 8) appreciably dissolve under these conditions.

Terms used herein regarding alpha-glucan ether, particularly a “cationicalpha-glucan ether” such as cationic alpha-1,3-glucan ether, are definedas in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2016/0311935, which is incorporatedherein by reference. The term “degree of substitution” (DoS) as usedherein refers to the average number of hydroxyl groups substituted (witha positively charged organic group via ether linkage) in each monomericunit (glucose) of an alpha-1,3-glucan ether. Insoluble cationicalpha-1,3-glucan ethers herein can have a DoS of up to about 0.3 (e.g.,0.001 to 0.3), since a higher DoS (>0.3) in some aspects can beassociated with soluble cationic alpha-1,3-glucan ethers. A “positivelycharged organic group” as used herein refers to a chain of one or morecarbons (“carbon chain”) that has one or more hydrogens substituted withanother atom or functional group (e.g., a “substituted alkyl group”),where one or more of the substitutions is with a positively chargedgroup. Where a positively charged organic group has a substitution inaddition to a substitution with a positively charged group, suchadditional substitution may be with one or more hydroxyl groups, oxygenatoms (thereby forming an aldehyde or ketone group), alkyl groups,and/or additional positively charged groups. A positively chargedorganic group has a net positive charge since it comprises one or morepositively charged groups. The terms “positively charged group”,“positively charged ionic group”, “cationic group” and the like are usedinterchangeably herein. A positively charged group comprises a cation (apositively charged ion). Examples of positively charged groups includesubstituted ammonium groups, carbocation groups and acyl cation groups.

The terms “outlet”, “discharge outlet”, “exit” and other like termsherein refer to an openable/closable opening that, when open, can allowa material to exit a container (discharge from a container). One or moredischarge outlets typically can be located at the bottom of, orelsewhere in the bottom portion of, a container. In some aspects, the“diameter” of a discharge outlet refers to the diameter (if outlet iscircular) or longest diameter (if outlet is elliptical) of the smallestcross-sectional area of the discharge outlet. A discharge outlet hereintypically projects (aims) underneath a container.

The term “tapered” and like terms herein refer to a narrowing (e.g.,gradual and/or uniform narrowing) of a portion of a container toward adischarge outlet. Such narrowing typically extends down to the smallestcross-sectional area of the discharge outlet. “Degrees from vertical” asused herein characterizes the relative steepness of tapering. Thesteepness of tapering increases as its degrees from vertical decreases;e.g., a tapering of 60 degrees from vertical is less steep (i.e., has alower grade) than a tapering of 30 degrees from vertical. It should beunderstood that 0 degrees from vertical represents no tapering.Optionally, “degrees from horizontal” can be used to describe tapering,and is calculated simply by subtracting the degrees from vertical from90 degrees.

A “container” having one or more discharge outlets herein typically issuitable for holding/storing and/or transporting at least about 100 kg(kilograms) of insoluble alpha glucan particles of the presentdisclosure.

As used herein, “psia” (pounds per square inch absolute) refers to aunit of pressure relative to a vacuum rather than atmospheric pressure.Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psia, for example. A pressure of 5 psia,for example, characterizes a partial vacuum.

The term “isolated” means a substance (or process) in a form orenvironment that does not occur in nature. A non-limiting example of anisolated substance includes any non-naturally occurring substance suchas a granulated insoluble glucan herein (as well as the enzymaticreactions and other processes used to prepare it). It is believed thatthe embodiments disclosed herein are synthetic/man-made (could not havebeen made except for human intervention/involvement), and/or haveproperties that are not naturally occurring.

The term “increased” as used herein can refer to a quantity or activitythat is at least about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%,12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 50%, 100%, or 200% morethan the quantity or activity for which the increased quantity oractivity is being compared. The terms “increased”, “elevated”,“enhanced”, “greater than”, “improved” and the like are usedinterchangeably herein.

Expensive and complicated equipment are generally necessary to handlehigh moisture bulk materials. Addressing this problem with respect topolysaccharide-based materials, disclosed herein are high moistureinsoluble alpha-glucan compositions with advantageous flow properties.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure concern a compositioncomprising, or consisting of, particles with an average size of about0.1-10 mm. These particles comprise, or consist of, at least, (i) about50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50%by weight insoluble alpha-glucan or an insoluble cationic ether thereof,wherein the insoluble alpha-glucan comprises alpha-1,3-glycosidiclinkages and has a weight-average degree of polymerization (DPw) of atleast 100. Such high moisture, insoluble alpha-glucan compositions haveadvantageous flow properties, which enable more economic storage andtransport processes.

A composition herein comprises particles with an average size of about0.1-10 mm. In some aspects, the average size of the particles is about0.1-7, 0.1-6, 0.1-5, 0.1-4, 0.1-3, 0.1-2, 0.5-7, 0.5-6, 0.5-5, 0.5-4,0.5-3, 0.5-2, 1-7, 1-6, 1-5, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2, 1-10, 2-10, 2-8, 2-6, 2-4,4-10, 4-8, 4-6, 6-10, 6-8, 8-10, 5-10, 5-7, 6-7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, or 10 mm. Isolation of particles of any of these size ranges can bedone using appropriately sized meshes/sieves, for example. These toolscan also be used to determine/confirm particle size. The particles ofthe disclosed composition are equal or less than about 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or2 mm in some aspects. Particle size in some aspects can optionally becharacterized in terms of the particle size produced by forciblytransiting insoluble alpha-glucan through a particle-forming devicecomprising a screen/sieve (e.g., a grater) with 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-,7-, 8-, 9-, and/or 10-mm passages (or through passages as describedbelow for particle-forming device). Particles produced in this mannertypically are of a size equal to or less than the size(s) of thepassages.

Particles in a composition herein comprise about 50%-90% by weight wateror an aqueous solution. In some aspects, particles can comprise about50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 50-90, 50-80, 50-70, 50-60, 55-80, 60-90, 60-80,60-70, 55-65, 55-80, or 70-80 wt % water or an aqueous solution. Thoughsuch particles have a high moisture content, a composition comprisingthem is not in the form of a slurry, colloidal dispersion, or otherliquid/fluid form. Rather, a composition in some aspects can becharacterized as being powder-like (resembling a powder) in appearanceand/or texture, though the particles of the composition have a liquidwater content much higher than that of a typical powder (see abovedefinition).

Water or an aqueous solution is comprised within particles herein. Anaqueous solution in some aspects has no (detectable) dissolved sugars,or about 0.1-1.5, 0.1-1.25, 0.1-1.0, 0.1-.75, 0.1-0.5, 0.2-0.6, 0.3-0.5,0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, or 0.6 wt % dissolved sugars. Such dissolved sugarscan include sucrose, fructose, leucrose, and/or solublegluco-oligosaccharides, for example. An aqueous solution in some aspectscan have one or more salts/buffers (e.g., Na⁺, Cl⁻, NaCl, phosphate,tris, citrate) (e.g., 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 wt %) and/or a pH as listed belowfor glucosyltransferase reaction conditions (e.g., pH 6.0-8.0). In someaspects, the solvent of an aqueous solution herein can comprise about,or at least about, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5, or 100 wt %water; the rest of the solvent can be a polar organic solvent, forexample.

Particles in a composition herein comprise about 10%-50% by weightinsoluble alpha-glucan and/or one or more insoluble cationic ethersthereof. In some aspects, particles can comprise about 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 10-50, 10-40, 10-30, 10-20, 20-50,20-45, 20-40, 20-30, 30-50, 30-40, 40-50, 30-45, 35-45, 37.5-42.5,35-40, or 40-45 wt % insoluble alpha-glucan and/or one or more insolublecationic ethers thereof. Particles in some aspects comprise insolublealpha-glucan and no cationic ether thereof (and vice versa). Insolublealpha-glucan is not derivatized (not chemically modified such asetherified) in some aspects.

Particles in a composition herein can comprise, or consist of, water andinsoluble alpha-glucan (and/or insoluble cationic ether thereof), andoptionally any of the other components as disclosed above (e.g.,dissolved sugars, salt, buffer, and/or polar organic solvent). Particlesherein typically do not comprise, or have less than about 0.5, 0.1, or0.05 wt % of (or do not have a detectable amount of), any othersubstance such as a filler (e.g., wood, pulp, or any other solidsubstance) or plasticizer (e.g., glycerol).

A composition comprising particles herein can be at a temperature ofabout 4-30, 10-30, 15-30, 20-30, 25-30, 15-25, or 20-25° C., forexample. In some embodiments, a composition comprising particles (e.g.,particles as present in a bulk amount, such as in a shipping container)can weigh at least about 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800,900, 1000, 1100, or 1200 kg, or at least about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 5, 10,20, 25, 50, 75, or 100 tons (US or metric), and/or have a density ofabout 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 35-42, 35-40, 37-42, or 37-40pounds/cubic foot following compression of about 50-550 pounds/squarefoot). Significantly, particles in such high weight and/or densityembodiments exhibit continuous flowability from commercial-size/bulkcontainers (as described below). The density of loose bulk material(i.e., a composition that has not been subject to any compressionprocedure) herein can be about 31-38, 31-37, 32-38 or 32-37 pounds/cubicfoot, for example.

Particles in some aspects can comprise about 10%-50% by weight insolublealpha-glucan that comprises alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages and has aweight-average degree of polymerization (DPw) of at least 100. In someaspects, at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%,94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 100% (or any integer between 50%and 100%) of the constituent glycosidic linkages of insolublealpha-glucan are alpha-1,3 linkages. In some aspects, accordingly,insoluble alpha-glucan has less than about 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%,9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%_(7 0.5)% ₇ or 0% (or any integervalue between 0% and 50%) glycosidic linkages that are not alpha-1,3.Typically, the linkages that are not alpha-1,3 are mostly or entirelyalpha-1,6. It should be understood that the higher the percentage ofalpha-1,3 linkages present in alpha-glucan, the greater the probabilitythat the alpha-glucan is linear, since there are lower occurrences ofcertain linkages forming branch points in the polymer. Thus, insolublealpha-glucan with 100% alpha-1,3 linkages is believed to be completelylinear. In certain embodiments, insoluble alpha-glucan has no branchpoints or less than about 5%, ₄%₇ ₃%₇ ₇ Z /0 or 1′)/0 branch points as apercent of the glycosidic linkages in the polymer. Examples of branchpoints include alpha-1,6, -1,2 and -1,4 branch points stemming from analpha-1,3-linked backbone.

Insoluble alpha-glucan herein can have a molecular weight in DPw or DPnof at least about 100 in some aspects. DPw or DPn in some embodimentscan be about, or at least about, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450,500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1100, or 1200(or any integer between 100 and 1200). The DPw or DPn of an alpha-glucancan optionally be expressed as a range between any two of these values(e.g., 100-1200, 400-1200, 700-1200, 100-1000, 400-1000, 700-1000).

Alpha-glucan herein is insoluble in non-caustic aqueous systems, such asthose conditions of a glucosyltransferase reaction herein (e.g., pH 4-8,see below). In general, the solubility of a glucan polymer in aqueoussettings herein is related to its linkage profile, molecular weight,and/or degree of branching. For example, alpha-1,3-glucan with ≥95%, 1,3linkages is generally insoluble at a DPw of 8 and above in aqueousconditions at 20° C. In general, as molecular weight increases, thepercentage of alpha-1,3 linkages required for alpha-1,3-glucaninsolubility decreases.

In some embodiments, an insoluble alpha-glucan can comprise at leastabout 30% alpha-1,3 linkages and a percentage of alpha-1,6 linkages thatbrings the total of both the alpha-1,3 and -1,6 linkages in thealpha-glucan to 100%. For example, the percentage of alpha-1,3 and -1,6linkages can be about 30-40% and 60-70%, respectively. In some aspects,an insoluble alpha-glucan comprising at least about 30% alpha-1,3linkages is linear. Glucosyltransferases for producing insolublealpha-glucan comprising at least about 30% alpha-1,3 linkages aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2015/0232819, which isincorporated herein by reference.

Insoluble alpha-glucan in some embodiments can be in the form of acopolymer (e.g., graft copolymer) having (i) a backbone comprisingdextran (e.g., with at least about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%alpha-1,6 linkages) with a molecular weight of at least about 100000Daltons, and (ii) alpha-1,3-glucan side chains comprising at least about95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% alpha-1,3-glucosidic linkages. Suchcopolymers can be as disclosed in Int. Pat. Appl. Publ. No.WO2017/079595, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Any of the foregoing linkage profiles and/or molecular weight profiles,for example, can be combined herein to appropriately characterizeinsoluble alpha-glucan herein. In some aspects, the linkage and/ormolecular weight profile of such alpha-glucan can be as disclosed in anyof the following publications, all of which are incorporated herein byreference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,000,000 and 8,871,474, U.S. Patent Appl.Publ. No. 2015/0232819, Int. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. WO2017/079595.Insoluble alpha-glucan of the foregoing embodiments can be a product ofany of the glucan synthesis reaction processes disclosed below, forexample.

Insoluble alpha-glucan herein does not comprise alternan (alternating1,3 and 1,6 linkages), which is aqueous-soluble. Insoluble alpha-glucanherein is typically enzymatically derived in an inert vessel (typicallyunder cell-free conditions), and is not derived from a cell wall (e.g.,fungal cell wall).

Insoluble alpha-glucan in some aspects can be enzymatically produced ina reaction composition comprising at least water, sucrose and aglucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes insoluble alpha-glucan. Suchan enzymatic reaction can employ a glucosyltransferase enzyme thatproduces any insoluble alpha-glucan molecule as disclosed above (e.g.,≥90% or ≥95% alpha-1,3-linkages).

A glucosyltransferase enzyme in certain embodiments for producinginsoluble alpha-glucan can comprise an amino acid sequence as disclosedin any of U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. Nos. 2014/0087431, 2017/0166938,2017/0002335, and 2018/0072998 (U.S. application Ser. No. 15/702,893)(all of which are incorporated herein by reference), for example.Examples of such sequences include those that are 100% identical to, orat least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 98.5%, 99%, or99.5% identical to, SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 26,28, 30, 34, or 59 as disclosed in U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No.2014/0087431, and have glucosyltransferase activity. Aglucosyltransferase enzyme with SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 20, 26, 28,30, or 34 as disclosed in U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2014/0087431 cansynthesize insoluble alpha-1,3-glucan comprising at least about 90%alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages in some aspects.

The amino acid sequence of a glucosyltransferase enzyme in certainaspects has been modified such that the enzyme produces more products(insoluble alpha-glucan and fructose), and less by-products (e.g.,glucose, oligosaccharides such as leucrose), from a given amount ofsucrose substrate. For example, one, two, three, four, or more aminoacid residues of the catalytic domain of a glucosyltransferase hereincan be modified/substituted to obtain an enzyme that produces moreproducts (insoluble alpha-glucan and fructose).

A glucosyltransferase enzyme herein can be derived from any microbialsource, such as bacteria. Examples of bacterial glucosyltransferaseenzymes are those derived from a Streptococcus species, Leuconostocspecies or Lactobacillus species. Examples of Streptococcus speciesinclude S. salivarius, S. sobrinus, S. dentirousetti, S. downei, S.mutans, S. oralis, S. gallolyticus and S. sanguinis. Examples ofLeuconostoc species include L. mesenteroides, L. amelibiosum, L.argentinum, L. carnosum, L. citreum, L. cremoris, L. dextranicum and L.fructosum. Examples of Lactobacillus species include L. acidophilus, L.delbrueckii, L. helveticus, L. salivarius, L. casei, L. curvatus, L.plantarum, L. sakei, L. brevis, L. buchneri, L. fermentum and L.reuteri.

The temperature of a reaction composition herein can be controlled, ifdesired, and can be about 5-50° C., 20-40° C., 30-40° C., 20-30° C.,20-25° C., 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., or 40° C., for example.

The initial concentration of sucrose in a reaction composition hereincan be about 20-400 g/L, 75-175 g/L, or 50-150 g/L, for example. In someaspects, the initial sucrose concentration is at least about 50, 75,100, 150 or 200 g/L, or is about 50-600 g/L, 100-500 g/L, 50-100 g/L,100-200 g/L, 150-450 g/L, 200-450 g/L, or 250-600 g/L. “Initialconcentration of sucrose” refers to the sucrose concentration in areaction composition just after all the reaction components have beenadded/combined (e.g., at least water, sucrose, glucosyltransferaseenzyme).

The pH of a reaction composition in certain embodiments can be about4.0-9.0, 4.0-8.5, 4.0-8.0, 5.0-8.0, 5.5-7.5, or 5.5-6.5. In someaspects, the pH can be about 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, or8.0. The pH can be adjusted or controlled by the addition orincorporation of a suitable buffer, including but not limited to:phosphate, tris, citrate, or a combination thereof. The bufferconcentration in a reaction composition herein can be about 0.1-300 mM,0.1-100 mM, 10-100 mM, 10 mM, 20 mM, or 50 mM, for example.

A glucosyltransferase reaction can be contained within any vessel (e.g.,an inert vessel/container) suitable for applying one or more of thereaction conditions disclosed herein. An inert vessel in some aspectscan be of stainless steel, plastic, or glass (or comprise two or more ofthese components) and be of a size suitable to contain a particularreaction. For example, the volume/capacity of an inert vessel (and/orthe volume of a reaction composition herein) can be about, or at leastabout, 1, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 12500, 15000, or20000 liters. An inert vessel can optionally be equipped with a stirringdevice. Any of the foregoing features, for example, can be used tocharacterize an isolated reaction herein.

A reaction composition herein can contain one, two, or moreglucosyltransferase enzymes, for example. In some embodiments, only oneor two glucosyltransferase enzymes is/are comprised in a reactioncomposition. A glucosyltransferase reaction herein can be, and typicallyis, cell-free (e.g., no whole cells present).

Completion of a reaction in certain embodiments can be determinedvisually (e.g., no more accumulation of insoluble alpha-glucan), and/orby measuring the amount of sucrose left in the solution (residualsucrose), where a percent sucrose consumption of at least about 90%,95%, or 99% can indicate reaction completion. In some aspects, areaction can be considered complete when its sucrose content is at orbelow about 2-5 g/L. A reaction of the disclosed process can beconducted for about 1 hour to about 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20,22, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 96, 120, 144, or 168 hours, for example. Areaction can optionally be terminated and/or otherwise treated to stopglucosyltransferase activity (e.g., by heating it to at least about 65°C. for at least about 30-60 minutes).

Examples of other conditions and/or components suitable for synthesizinginsoluble alpha-glucan herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent Appl. Publ.Nos. 2014/0087431, 2017/0166938 and 2017/0002335, which are incorporatedherein by reference.

Insoluble alpha-glucan produced in a glucosyltransferase reaction hereinis typically isolated as a cake comprising at least (i) about 50%-90% byweight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weightinsoluble alpha-glucan. Such cake can optionally be characterized as afilter cake or wet cake, and can be used to prepare particles of thepresent disclosure (see below). Isolating insoluble alpha-glucan forcake preparation can include at least conducting a step ofcentrifugation (cake is pelleted glucan) and/or filtration (cake isfiltered glucan). For example, wet cake herein can be obtained using afunnel, filter (e.g., a surface filter such as a rotary vacuum-drumfilter, cross-flow filter, screen filter, belt filter, screw press, orfilter press with or with membrane squeeze capability; or a depth filtersuch as a sand filter), and/or centrifuge; filtration can be by gravity,vacuum, or press filtration, for instance. Isolation can optionallyfurther comprise washing the centrifuged and/or filtered alpha-glucanone, two, or more times with water or other aqueous liquid. A washvolume can optionally be at least about 10-100% of the volume of theglucosyltransferase reaction used to produce the insoluble alpha-glucan,for example. Washing can be done by various modes, as desired, such asby displacement or re-slurry washing. In some aspects, the aqueousportion of the resulting cake has no (detectable) dissolved sugars, orabout 0.1-1.5, 0.1-1.25, 0.1-1.0, 0.1-.75, 0.1-0.5, 0.2-0.6, 0.3-0.5,0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, or 0.6 wt % dissolved sugars. Such dissolved sugarscan include sucrose, fructose, leucrose, and/or solublegluco-oligosaccharides, for example. Insoluble alpha-glucan hereintypically is not dried after its enzymatic synthesis and prior toprocessing it to powder form; thus, alpha-glucan herein can optionallybe characterized as having never been dried.

Particles in some aspects can comprise about 10%-50% by weight of aninsoluble cationic ether of an insoluble alpha-glucan. Such an ether canbe, for example, a cationic ether derivative of any insolublealpha-glucan as disclosed herein. Simply as an example, analpha-1,3-glucan for ether-derivatization can (i) have about, or atleast about, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% alpha-1,3 linkages,and/or (ii) a DPw of about, or at least about, 100, 250, 500, 600, 700,800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 500-1200, 500-1100, 500-1000, 500-900,500-800, 800-1200, 800-1100, 800-1000, or 800-900. While a single typeof insoluble cationic ether can typically be used, two or more types ofinsoluble cationic ether can optionally be used. In some aspects, aninsoluble cationic ether comprises one type of positively chargedorganic group, while in other aspects an insoluble cationic ethercomprises two or more types of positively charged organic group.

The DoS (with a positively charged ether group) of an insoluble cationicalpha-glucan ether herein can be up to about (or from 0.001 to about)0.3, 0.29, 0.28, 0.27, 0.26, 0.25, 0.24, 0.23, 0.22, 0.21, 0.2, 0.15, or0.1, or about 0.01-0.3, 0.01-0.25, 0.01-0.2, 0.01-0.15, 0.01-0.1,0.05-0.3, 0.05-0.25, 0.05-0.2, 0.05-0.15, or 0.05-0.1, for example. Apositively charged group can be, for example, any of those disclosed inU.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2016/0311935, which is incorporated herein byreference. A positively charged group can comprise a substitutedammonium group, for example. Examples of substituted ammonium groups areprimary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary ammonium groups. An ammoniumgroup can be substituted with one, two, or three alkyl groups (e.g.,methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl,decyl), for example. One of the groups of a substituted ammonium groupcomprises one carbon, or a chain of carbons, in ether linkage to a graftcopolymer; such a carbon or carbon chain can be —CH₂—, —CH₂CH—,—CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, or —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, for example. A carbonor carbon chain in this context can optionally have at least onesubstitution with an oxygen atom (e.g., alcohol group) and/or alkylgroup (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl). One or more positivelycharged organic groups in some aspects can be trimethylammoniumhydroxypropyl groups (structure I, when each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is amethyl group).

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure concern a method ofpreparing a composition comprising particles as described herein. Such amethod can comprise: (a) providing a first composition comprising atleast (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii)about 10%-50% by weight insoluble alpha-glucan or an insoluble cationicether thereof, and (b) providing particles of the first composition withan average size of about 0.1-10 mm (e.g., by contacting the firstcomposition with a suitable particle-forming device). Such a method canoptionally be characterized herein as an insoluble alpha-glucan (orinsoluble cationic ether thereof) particle-forming method.

A first composition for use in an insoluble alpha-glucanparticle-forming method herein can be a cake of insoluble alpha-glucanas disclosed above (e.g., filter cake or wet cake), for example. Such acake can comprise about 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61,62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79,80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 50-90, 50-80, 50-70, 50-60,60-90, 60-80, 60-70, 55-65, 55-80, or 70-80 wt % water or an aqueoussolution. An aqueous solution in a cake in some embodiments can have no(detectable) dissolved sugars, or about 0.1-1.5, 0.1-1.25, 0.1-1.0,0.1-.75, 0.1-0.5, 0.2-0.6, 0.3-0.5, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, or 0.6 wt %dissolved sugars. Such dissolved sugars can include sucrose, fructose,leucrose, and/or soluble gluco-oligosaccharides, for example. An aqueoussolution in a cake in some aspects can have one or more salts/buffers(e.g., Na⁺, Cl⁻, NaCl, phosphate, tris, citrate) (e.g., 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0wt %) and/or a pH as listed above for glucosyltransferase reactionconditions (e.g., pH 6.0-8.0). In some aspects, the solvent of anaqueous solution herein can comprise about, or at least about, 80, 85,90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5, or 100 wt % water; the rest of the solventcan be a polar organic solvent, for example. A cake of insolublealpha-glucan or insoluble cationic ether thereof can comprise about 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 10-50, 10-40, 10-30,10-20, 20-50, 20-40, 20-30, 30-50, 30-40, 40-50, 30-45, 35-45,37.5-42.5, 35-40, or 40-45 wt % insoluble alpha-glucan or insolublecationic ether thereof, for example. Such a cake can comprise, orconsist of, water and insoluble alpha-glucan (and/or insoluble cationicether thereof), and optionally any of the other components as disclosedabove (e.g., dissolved sugars, salt, buffer, and/or polar organicsolvent). A cake herein typically does not comprise, or has less thanabout 0.5, 0.1, or 0.05 wt % of (or do not have a detectable amount of),any other substance such as a filler (e.g., wood, pulp, or any othersolid substance) or plasticizer (e.g., glycerol).

An insoluble alpha-glucan particle-forming method comprises step (b) ofproviding particles of the first composition with an average size ofabout 0.1-10 mm. Water typically is not added during this step (i.e.,water is not added that is in addition to the water already present inthe first composition). Providing particles in some aspects can comprisecontacting a first composition (e.g., an insoluble alpha-glucan cake)with a suitable particle-forming device, such that particles of thefirst composition with an average size of about 0.1-10 mm are produced.This particle-forming step can optionally be characterized asgranulation or particulation. A particle-forming step in some aspectscan be performed such that particles of a certain average size range aredirectly prepared; this can be done using an suitable particle-formingdevice with appropriate size dimensions, for example. Additionally oralternatively, particles of a certain average size range can be preparedby applying a suitable size selection tool (e.g., screen/sieve) to apopulation of particles. Average particle sizes produced in step (b) canbe any of those sizes/ranges listed above, for example. Particleformation can optionally be performed using an insoluble alpha-glucancake that has first been chopped, crumbled, and/or otherwise broken intopieces smaller than the cake.

A particle-forming device in some aspects can be a shredder, shaver,grater, tumbler, screen, sieve, grinder, or mill, for example. One ormore particle-forming devices can be employed, as desired. Aparticle-forming device in some aspects comprises a plurality of 0.1-mmto 10-mm passages through which the first composition (e.g., aninsoluble alpha-glucan cake) is forcibly transited. Examples of such adevice include a screen or sieve (such as that of a grater). Thedimensions of the passages (e.g., mesh size) of a screen/sieve hereincan be any of those dimensions listed above for average particle sizes,for example. For example, a screen/sieve can have approximately 1-, 2-,3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, and/or 10-mm passages. Also for example, ascreen/sieve can have mesh with the following approximate passage sizes(corresponding to certain commercially available screens/sieves): 9.5,8.0, 6.7, 6.4, 6.3, 5.7, 5.7, 4.8, 4.0, 3.4, 2.8, 2.4, 2.0, 1.7, 1.4,1.2, 1.0, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.35, 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, or 0.1mm. Also for example, a screen/sieve can have mesh with the followingU.S. sieve/mesh designations: ⅜ in., 5/16 in., 0.265 in., ¼ in., No. 3½,No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. 8, No. 10, No. 12, No. 14, No. 16, No.18, No. 20, No. 25, No. 30, No. 35, No. 40, No. 45, No. 50, No. 60, No.70, No. 80, No. 100, or No. 120. While the passages of a screen/sieveherein typically are square or of another four-cornered shape, thepassages can be other shapes (e.g., circular/elliptical) in someaspects.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure concern a system forstoring and/or moving a composition comprising particles as describedherein. Such a system comprises a container with at least oneopenable/closable discharge outlet located in the bottom portion of thecontainer, wherein at least a portion of the container is taperedtowards the discharge outlet, and wherein the composition is in thecontainer and continuously flows out of the container when the dischargeoutlet is open.

A container herein typically is suitable (has a capacity) forholding/storing at least about 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700,800, 900, 1000, 1100, or 1200 kg, or at least about 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25,50, 75, or 100 tons (US or metric), of insoluble alpha-glucan particlesof the present disclosure. A container herein can optionally becharacterized as a commercial (commercial-size) container, bulkcontainer, storage container, shipping or freight container, and otherlike terms, optionally depending on how the container is used. Acontainer can be a bin (e.g., rigid-walled bin), hopper, silo, flexibleintermediate bulk container (FIBC) (a.k.a. bulk bag; e.g., SuperSacks™), or other container suitable for storing and/or transporting alarge amount (e.g., at least 100 kg) of the presently disclosedparticles, for example. In some aspects, the inside wall of a container(i.e., the surface that is in contact with particles) can be made ofmetal (e.g., stainless steel) or plastic (wall of the container isplastic, or container has a plastic liner). Some containers (e.g.,hoppers or silos) can contain internal components such as an outlet cone(conical insert with a closed apex oriented upwards) and/or internalfunnel (a.k.a. cone-in-cone) with an open outlet supported above theoutlet and concentric with the outlet.

A system as presently disclosed can optionally encompass a facility forproducing and/or storing insoluble alpha-glucan (or insoluble etherthereof) particles; a container therein can optionally be characterizedas a stationary container. Such a system can be considered a factoryand/or storage facility in some instances. In some embodiments, a systemcan encompass an element for transporting the disclosed particles, suchas a truck (e.g., tractor trailer) or train/rail car; a containertherein can optionally be characterized as a shipping or freightcontainer.

A container herein has at least one openable/closable discharge outletlocated in the bottom portion of the container. There can be 1, 2, 3, 4,or more outlets, for example. In typical embodiments, a discharge outletis located at the bottom side of the container, and is centrally locatedif the container has a single outlet (in a container with two or moreoutlets, they are typically equally spaced along the central axis of thelongest bottom dimension). However, an outlet can project laterally fromthe bottom portion of a container in some aspects. An outlet hereintypically is circular, elliptical, square (or another four-corneredshape), or triangular.

At least a portion(s) of the container is tapered towards its one ormore discharge outlets. The horizontal cross-sections (imaginary slices)of the tapering are typically, but not necessarily, of the same shape asthe outlet(s). Containers with one discharge outlet can optionally betapered along its entire vertical length, or most of (e.g., ≥80 or 90%)its vertical length, or the tapering can represent a smaller portion(e.g., ≥80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10%) of the container's verticallength. The outlet shape in single outlet embodiments herein istypically the same as the shape of the horizontal cross-sections(imaginary slices) of the container. In some aspects, the taperingtowards an outlet is about, or at least about, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35,30, 25, 20, 15, 25-50, 30-50, 25-45, or 30-45 degrees from vertical.Tapering in some aspects can (i) be of a single slope (degrees fromvertical constant from beginning of taper to its end at the outlet),(ii) have two or more slopes (a greater degrees from vertical taperingmeets a lower degrees from vertical at each slope transition approachingthe outlet), or (iii) have a gradually increasing slope (slope curvesfrom less to more steep approaching the outlet).

The smallest cross-sectional area of a discharge outlet in some aspectshas a span of about, or at least about, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,14, 16, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 4-48, 8-48, 10-48, 4-36, 8-36, 10-36,4-24, 8-24, 10-24, 4-18, 8-18, 10-18, 4-12, 8-12, 10-12, 4-10, 8-10, or4-8 inches. Such a span can optionally be referred to as diameter orlongest diameter with an outlet that is circular or elliptical,respectively. The span of a triangular, square, or other non-roundoutlet typically is the longest dimension (or internal dimension,whichever is longer) of the outlet cross-sectional area.

A discharge outlet in some aspects can be operably linked to a conduitsuch as a pipe, tube, hose, chute, cylinder, or duct. Such an operablylinked conduit can be physically part of the container (e.g., pipe thatis welded or otherwise continuous with the container body), or aseparate device/mechanism that is otherwise in communication with theoutlet. An operably linked conduit can help direct the flow of particlesout of the container to a different vessel, for example. The span of thesmallest cross-sectional area of an operably linked conduit typically isnot smaller than the span of the smallest cross-sectional area of theoutlet.

A discharge outlet herein should not be confused with any other openingof a container, such as a top or top-side opening used to put materialinto the container, or an opening allowing entry/positioning of anauxiliary feature such as a wire (e.g., electrical power cord),mechanical device, or detection/monitoring device.

A container herein can have, or can lack, a device that promotes theflow (“flow promotion device”) of the disclosed particles out of thecontainer when the discharge outlet is open. A container in some aspects(i) does not comprise a flow promotion device, or (ii) comprises a flowpromotion device, but which is not required to be active in order forthe particles to flow out of the container when the discharge outlet isopen. A flow promotion device can comprise a vibrator, gyrator,mechanical agitator (e.g., screw feeder), pneumatic device (e.g., aircannon, air pillow), or any other device or action, for example, thatmotivates flow of particulates through the discharge outlet(s) of acontainer when activated. A flow-promotion device can optionally becharacterized as a “live-bottom” device in some aspects. A flowpromotion device can be situated inside a container (e.g., in directcontact with the disclosed particles), or outside (but in communicationwith) the container. In some aspects, a flow promotion device can beactivated/actuated for less than about 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 seconds in orderto initiate particle flow from the container, after which time the flowis continuous (and the flow promotion device remains off). Continuousflow of the disclosed particles refers to undisrupted flow (withoutneeding continuous activation of a flow promotion device) thatcompletely empties the container, or that only leaves a volume ofparticles in the container (upon flow ending) that is at most 5%, 4%,3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.1% of the container's holding capacity volume,for example. The disclosed particles typically do not formbridges/arches, ratholes, and/or walls while the particles flow out ofthe container; in some aspects, such a particulate structure(s) mightform temporarily, but readily falls apart as flow continues. Abridge/arch of bulk material is a bridge/arch structure occurring acrossan outlet's opening. A rathole is a self-supporting annular structure ofbulk material leading to an outlet. Flow of particles herein does notrequire addition of any a component/ingredient that promotes flow ofparticulate material. Continuous flow herein is contemplated to berealized even following activities that compress the disclosedparticles, such as particulate settling during road or rail transport.

Methods of storing and/or transporting the presently disclosed particlescan comprise, at least, providing a container holding the particles, andopening a discharge outlet of the container to allow the particles tocontinuously flow out of the container. Any features described above orin the below Examples can optionally characterize such a method.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure concern a system fortransporting a composition comprising particles as described herein,which system comprises a conduit and gas (motive gas) to transport thecomposition through the conduit. Optionally, the operating pressure ofthe system is about 5-105 psia, and/or the motive gas is air or an inertgas. This system can be used, for example, to fill a container asdisclosed herein, or to move the disclosed particles following storageand/or transport thereof in the container. This system can optionally becharacterized as a pneumatic conveyance system. A conduit herein can bea pipe, tube, hose, chute, cylinder, duct or other like device/hardware.

The operating pressure of a pneumatic conveyance system herein canoptionally be about 5-105 psia, excluding atmospheric pressure (14.7psia). Such pressure can be applied within the conduit, thereby pushingor pulling the disclosed particles within the conduit (i.e., conveyingthe particles). In some aspects, operating pressure can be underatmospheric pressure (e.g., about 5-10 or 5-14 psia), thereby allowingfor vacuum conveying of particles. In some aspects, operating pressurecan be above atmospheric pressure (e.g., about 15-35, 15-30, 20-35, or20-30 psia), allowing for positive pressure flow. Operating pressure canbe provided to the system using a vacuum, blower, or compressed airdevice, for example. The gas used in a pneumatic conveyance systemherein can be air or an inert gas, for example. An inert gas herein isone that does not react with (or otherwise cause a reaction involving)insoluble alpha-glucan herein. Examples of suitable inert gases includenitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon.

Non-limiting examples of compositions and methods disclosed hereininclude:

-   1. A composition comprising particles with an average size of about    0.1-10 mm, wherein the particles comprise at least (i) about 50%-90%    by weight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by    weight insoluble alpha-glucan or an insoluble cationic ether of the    insoluble alpha-glucan, wherein the insoluble alpha-glucan comprises    alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages and has a weight-average degree of    polymerization (DPw) of at least 100.-   2. The composition of embodiment 1, wherein the insoluble    alpha-glucan has at least 50% alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages.-   3. The composition of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the particles    comprise about 30%-45% by weight of the insoluble alpha-glucan or    insoluble cationic ether thereof.-   4. The composition of embodiment 1, 2, or 3, wherein the composition    is powder-like.-   5. The composition of embodiment 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the    insoluble alpha-glucan is enzymatically produced in a reaction    composition comprising at least water, sucrose and a    glucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes insoluble alpha-glucan.-   6. The composition of embodiment 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the    particles are produced by contacting a first composition with a    particle-forming device, wherein the first composition comprises at    least (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution,    and (ii) about 10%-50% by weight insoluble alpha-glucan.-   7. The composition of embodiment 6, wherein the first composition is    a cake of the insoluble alpha-glucan.-   8. The composition of embodiment 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein the    particles comprise said insoluble alpha-glucan.-   9. A method of preparing a composition of any of embodiments 1-8,    the method comprising: (a) providing a first composition comprising    at least (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution,    and (ii) about 10%-50% by weight insoluble alpha-glucan or an    insoluble cationic ether of the insoluble alpha-glucan, and (b)    providing particles of the first composition with an average size of    about 0.1-10 mm.-   10. The method of embodiment 9, wherein the first composition is a    cake of the insoluble alpha-glucan.-   11. The method of embodiment 9 or 10, wherein step (b) comprises    contacting the first composition with a particle-forming device,    optionally wherein the particle-forming device comprises a plurality    of 0.1-mm to 10-mm passages through which the first composition is    forcibly transited, and optionally further wherein the    particle-forming device comprises a screen.-   12. A system for storing and/or moving a composition according to    any of embodiments 1-8, wherein the system comprises a container    with at least one openable/closable discharge outlet located in the    bottom portion of the container, wherein at least a portion of the    container is tapered towards the discharge outlet, and wherein the    composition is in the container and continuously flows out of the    container when the discharge outlet is open.-   13. The system of embodiment 12, wherein the container is a hopper,    bin, silo, or bulk bag.-   14. The system of embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the smallest    cross-sectional area of the discharge outlet has a span of at least    about 4 inches.-   15. The system of embodiment 12, 13, or 14, wherein the tapering of    the at least a portion of the container is at least 60 degrees from    vertical.-   16. A system for transporting a composition according to any of    embodiments 1-8, wherein the system comprises a conduit and gas to    transport the composition through the conduit, optionally wherein    the operating pressure of the system is about 5-105 psia, and    optionally wherein the gas is air or an inert gas.

EXAMPLES

The present disclosure is further exemplified in the following Examples.It should be understood that these Examples, while indicating certainpreferred aspects herein, are given by way of illustration only. Fromthe above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in the art canascertain the essential characteristics of the disclosed embodiments,and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can makevarious changes and modifications to adapt the disclosed embodiments tovarious uses and conditions.

Example 1 Granular Alpha-Glucan Preparations with High Water Content

This Example describes preparing granular alpha-glucan compositions withhigh water content. In particular, granulated alpha-1,3-glucan sampleswere produced with a solids content of about 25 or 40 wt % (i.e., withabout 75 or 60 wt % water, respectively).

A reaction was prepared comprising an amino acid-modified S. salivariusglucosyltransferase enzyme that produces (at a higher yield) insolublealpha-1,3-glucan. Briefly, in a manner similar to what is described inU.S. Patent Appl. Publ. Nos. 2017/0166938, 2017/0002335, and2018/0072998 (U.S. application Ser. No. 15/702,893) (all of which areincorporated herein by reference), for example, a glucan synthesisreaction was performed comprising water, sucrose, buffer and the aminoacid-modified glucosyltransferase enzyme. Following the reaction,samples of the alpha-1,3-glucan product (insoluble, about 100% alpha-1,3linkages, DPw of about 1000) were filtered, washed to remove mostfructose and other residuals sugars, and squeezed to about 25 or 40 wt %solids using a filter press. The resulting glucan filter cakes containedabout 75 or 60 wt % water, respectively, and about 0.4 wt % sugars. Eachfilter cake was chopped and then grated with a 6-mm grater into granulesof about a ¼-inch average diameter. Despite having a high water content,both granulated alpha-1,3-glucan samples each had a powder-likeappearance.

Example 2 Flowability of Granular Alpha-Glucan

This Example describes testing the flowability of the granulatedalpha-1,3-glucan samples prepared in Example 1 above.

The flowability of bulk solid materials from silos, hoppers, and storagecontainers can have a significant effect on the ease with which thematerial can be retrieved from storage and delivered to a downstreamprocess. Materials with poor flowability can require extraordinaryefforts to promote discharge, and may completely block the dischargeopening of storage vessels or refuse to discharge from flexibleintermediate bulk containers (FIBC's, a.k.a. bulk bags or Super Sacks®).The mechanical properties (cohesive strength, bulk density and frictionagainst the walls of process equipment) of a bulk solid will vary withthe amount of compaction force applied to the specimen. Virtually allbulk materials gain cohesive strength with increasing compaction force,and many will gain further strength if held in a compacted state for anextended period of time. Bulk density increases with compaction force.The coefficient of friction against process equipment may be a constantvalue or may vary when compaction forces are increased.

Jenike (Storage and Flow of Solids, Bulletin 123 of the University ofUtah Engineering Station, 1964), which is incorporated herein byreference, provides a methodology to convert measured values of cohesivestrength, bulk density, and wall friction into estimates of the size ofoutlet necessary for free-flowing discharge of a bulk material from ahopper. Cohesive strength acts to impede flow while gravitational forces(from the bulk density) encourage flow. Wall friction determines flowpattern in the hopper. (For purposes of this discussion, for example, ahopper can be a rigid container having a cross section that convergestoward an outlet opening. A traditional silo typically has a hoppersection at the bottom and a straight-walled vertical section above it).Materials with poor flow properties will require larger hopperoutlets—sometimes significantly so. The Jenike calculations requiremeasurement of a bulk solid's properties at compaction stressescorresponding to the shape, size, and fill level of the hopper and anyvertical extensions above it.

Jenike describes two possible types of flow patterns when a bulk soliddischarges from a hopper. In “mass flow”, the entire contents of thehopper are in motion whenever any material is withdrawn from the outlet.The bulk solid slides along the wall. In “funnel flow”, friction of thebulk solids against the walls of the hopper prevents flow in thatregion. Instead, the bulk solid slides across itself down the centralportion of the hopper. Due to the stresses imposed on the bulk solid bythe flow pattern, mass flow hoppers will discharge from outlets that areappreciably smaller than those used in funnel flow hoppers. In a massflow hopper, a flow blockage can occur if the outlet is too small,allowing arching by the bulk solid across the outlet's opening. In afunnel flow hopper, the flow pattern can lead to a different sort ofblockage known as a rathole, or piping. A rathole is a self-supportingannular structure of bulk solid surrounding the outlet of the hopper.For both mass flow and funnel flow patterns, discharge will occur if thehopper outlet is sufficiently large to cause arches or ratholes(respectively) to collapse. However, for poor flowing solids, therequired outlet dimensions can be so large as to be impractical. Inpractice, compared to preventing arching obstructions, preventingrathole obstructions requires using much larger hopper outlets. Thus,avoidance of ratholing is a key problem for particulate productdevelopers and process designers.

The friction of a bulk solid against the walls of the hopper section,when combined with the inclination of the hopper walls, determines ifthe solids will slide along the walls (mass flow) or remain stagnant inthe region of the walls (funnel flow). Mass flow is almost alwaysdesired, but may require hopper walls that are so steep as to makeconstruction of the hopper impractical due to the vertical heightrequired. Steep-walled hoppers are also impractical in mobile equipmentand in retrofits of an existing bulk handling system that may have beendesigned around a more shallow design.

Jenike's procedures were originally intended as a means to design abespoke hopper for a specific bulk solid, with the required hopper slopeangles and outlet dimensions being the key calculated outcomes. However,when assessing the flowability of a bulk solid that may be used in avariety of hoppers, or when comparing two bulk solids' flowability toeach other, it is convenient to determine the critical outlet diameterthat would be required in a hypothetical silo of defined geometry andfill level. Hoppers with outlets larger than the critical diameter willdischarge. This determination can be made for mass flow silos (in whichan outlet diameter to overcome arching is calculated) or for funnel flowsilos, for which a critical rathole diameter is calculated. In each casethe units of outlet diameter are linear, with larger diameter-requiringoutlets indicating proportionately worse flowability. Due to theoreticallimitations in Jenike's methods, the testing and calculations mayindicate rathole diameters in excess of the actual silo diameter.However, these results are still useful for comparative purposes.Indeed, in practice, it is known that if the critical rathole diameterapproaches or exceeds the silo diameter, gravity flow may be impossibleand large scale external flow promotion devices (e.g., vibratingdischarge mechanisms) will be required.

The Jenike procedure traditionally utilizes values of cohesive strengthand bulk density that are obtained from biaxial shear cells such asthose described in ASTM standards D6128-16 or D6773-16, which areincorporated herein by reference. Results from these tests aresubsequently interpreted using Jenike's methods. However, estimatedvalues of critical rathole diameters can be more expeditiously obtainedvia the computer-controlled Johanson Hang-Up Indicizer® (Bell et al.,Bulk Solids Handling 14:164-171; incorporated herein by reference). Thisdevice allows the user to enter a hypothetical silo diameter, and thesystem computes the required testing conditions and executes the test.The outcome is a critical rathole diameter for the hypothetical silo. Inthe Johanson device, a sample is confined in a shallow verticalcylindrical mold and then compressed with a downward stresscorresponding to the load that would be encountered in the silo. Aftercompression, a false bottom is removed from the central portion of themold's bottom, leaving an annular ledge that supports the compactedsample. A probe is then inserted into the cylinder from the top.Downward motion of the probe forces a plug of compacted sample throughthe hole in the bottom of the mold. The force necessary to press theplug out of the bottom of the mold is measured. From the dimensions ofthe probe and the force measurement, the shear strength of the samplecan be estimated and used to calculate the rathole diameter.

Flowability test results for granulated alpha-1,3-glucan at twodifferent solids contents (40 or 25 wt %, as produced in Example 1above, particles over 4 mm in size removed) are tabulated in Table 1below. Test results were also tabulated for 10× powdered sugar (i.e.,confectioners sugar) (Table 1), which is a convenient reference materialwith poor flow properties. Using a Johanson Hang-up Indicizer® with a96-mL (maximum volume) test cell, each test was conducted at lab-scaleat ambient temperature (˜70° F.) with the respective sample brieflycompacted and then tested (“instantaneous”), or with compaction forcesapplied for up to 960 minutes before testing. The testing conditionssimulated a typical silo that is ten feet in diameter.

TABLE 1 Critical Rathole Diameters in 10-Foot Diameter Silo (Simulated)Containing Granulated Alpha-1,3-Glucan or Powdered Sugar CriticalRathole Diameter (feet) Time of Alpha-1,3- Alpha-1,3- Compaction Glucan^(a) Glucan ^(a) (minutes) 40 wt % solids 25 wt % solids 10X Sugar 0.33(“instan- 4.46 17.36 7.69 taneous”) 60 14.59 26.77 9.27 360 19.95 31.03not tested 960 23.9 36.59 not tested ^(a) Average particle diameter 4 mmor less. Loose bulk densities (prior to compression to mimic conditionsat commercial-scale [e.g., hopper/silo]) of the 40 and 25 wt % materialwere about 37 and 32 pounds/cubic foot, respectively.The data in Table 1 indicate that the 40 wt % solids form of granulatedalpha-1,3-glucan has an initial (“instantaneous”) flowability that wouldbe considered poor, but is considerably better than powdered sugar.However, after storage of granulated 40 wt % alpha-1,3-glucan under loadfor 60 minutes or more, the critical rathole diameter increaseddramatically, with additional time under load resulting in furtherincreases in critical rathole diameter. Given the size of the ratholesthat formed, the results in Table 1 overall suggest that a large outletdiameter (e.g., at least ˜14 feet) would be necessary to permitcontinuous flow of granulated alpha-1,3-glucan from a commercial-sizehopper or other large storage container.

The loose bulk densities of granulated 40 and 25 wt % alpha-1,3-glucanwith particle sizes of 4 mm or less were measured to be about 37 and 32pounds/cubic foot, respectively. The bulk densities of these 40- and25-wt % materials following a compression of about 15-20, 65-70,260-265, or 520-525 pounds/square foot were about 37, 38, 40, and 42,respectively, for the 40-wt % material, and about 33, 35, 38, and 42,respectively, for the 25-wt % material.

Based on the preceding test results (Table 1), severe difficulties inhopper discharge of 25-40 wt % solids glucan were expected. Toaccommodate the anticipated difficulties, tests at ambient temperature(˜70° F.) were conducted with an aggressive hopper discharging deviceknown as a Metalfab Posibie (Metalfab Materials Handling Systems,Vernon, N.J.). The Posibie is a portable hopper that is fitted with afull-diameter gyrating live bottom discharger. The entire hopper sectionis connected to a motor-driven eccentric vibrator, which can be turnedon and off. The bin's inside diameter was slightly less than 36 inches,and its sidewall height was approximately 53 inches, providing about 35cubic feet of working capacity. As is typical with gyrating livebottoms, there was a conical baffle plate inside the bin, a few inchesabove the bin outlet. Below the baffle was a ˜10-inch (0.8-foot)diameter outlet. The hopper walls and the conical baffle plate had veryshallow slopes, such that a funnel flow pattern would be expected ifthey were to discharge by gravity.

The Posibie outlet was mechanically blocked and then the bin was loadedwith loose granulated 40 wt % alpha-1,3-glucan as prepared in Example 1(no particles removed). Additional compaction stress (about 30pounds/square foot) (i.e., additional to the compaction stress alreadyexisting by virtue of the weight of the glucan material itself) wasapplied by stacking concrete blocks on top of the loaded glucan, suchthat the total compaction stress in the bottom portion of the bin wasabout 150-200 pounds/square foot. The weights were applied for periodsof up to several hours; the density of the granulated alpha-glucan fromthis compression was estimated to be about 40 pounds/cubic foot. After adesignated time, the concrete weights were removed and the outlet wasopened by removing its mechanical stop. In each of several trials,gravity discharge of the glucan from the bin commenced immediately uponopening the outlet, even though the vibrating discharge mechanism wasnever turned on. The glucan continued to flow from the bin until it wasempty. This outcome was completely unexpected, since the 0.8-footdiameter outlet of the bin was much smaller than a 14-foot (or larger)outlet anticipated to be necessary for flow as suggested from the abovelab-scale test results (Table 1). Similar Posibie flow results wereobtained using 40 wt % granulated alpha-1,3-glucan that had beenprepared using a 3-mm grater (instead of a 6-mm grater).

In another test, the bin was re-loaded with 40 wt % granulatedalpha-1,3-glucan and surcharged with weights, and left overnight(approximately 15 hours). The next morning, the mechanical block of theoutlet was slid away, and the bin did not immediately start todischarge. The vibrator motor was energized for about two seconds, uponwhich flow commenced immediately, and continued (without furtherenergizing of the vibrating discharge mechanism) until the bin wasempty.

Gyrating live bottoms (discharge mechanisms) of hoppers should not beoperated with the bin outlet closed, since the vibration can causecompaction of the bulk material and later discharging problems. As asimulation of the vibration that may occur in over-the-roadtransportation, the live bottom was used to vibrate a stagnant quantityof glucan in the bin. In this test, the Posibin® was filled with 40 wt %granulated alpha-1,3-glucan (but not surcharged with additional weight),after which the live bottom was operated for two continuous minutes andthen shut off, all the while keeping the bin outlet mechanicallyblocked. After shut-down, the mechanical block was removed and the bindischarged completely without requiring the use of the vibrator toinitiate flow. It is therefore contemplated that granulated glucanherein can be transported in containers without creating the flowabilityproblems that typically affect other types of bulk material followingtheir transport.

FIBC's (bulk bags) can be an economical method to transport up to aboutone ton of bulk material in a single package on a pallet. The bags haveflexible walls and are hung from a frame for discharging through abottom outlet spout. The bottom of the bag is nearly flat. The dischargeflow pattern is therefore funnel flow. Products can be stagnant in bagsfor months awaiting use. It is inconvenient to mechanically vibrate ormassage the bags to promote discharge, especially in a high-throughputoperation. However, based on the lab-scale testing of flowability above(Table 1), difficulties in discharging bulk bags filled with granulated25-40 wt % alpha-1,3-glucan was expected.

Two bulk bags with 19-inch (1.6-foot) diameter outlet spouts weretested. The bags had slightly conical bottoms, so that when they werelifted off the pallet the bottom formed a shallow hopper shape. The bagswere filled with 40 wt % granulated alpha-1,3-glucan and then stored for48 hours before discharging was tested. For discharging, the bags weresuspended over a bin with a fork-lift truck. The spout of each bag wasthen untied, after which the bags discharged rapidly. The bags did notrequire prodding or any other form of agitation to promote flow of mostof the granulated glucan out of the bags. After this emptying, a smallamount of residual material was easily shaken out of the corners of eachbag. This easy removal of the glucan by flow was unexpected for thereasons discussed above.

Example 3 Flowability of Granular Cationic Alpha-Glucan Ether

This Example describes testing the flowability of granulated, cationicether-derivatized alpha-1,3-glucan.

Insoluble alpha-1,3-glucan (produced in a glucosyltransferase reactionsimilar to that described in Example 1 above) was ether-derivatizedusing 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-trimethylammonium chloride. The resultingcationic ether derivative, trimethylammonium hydroxypropylalpha-1,3-glucan, was aqueous-insoluble and had a degree of substitution(DoS) of less than 0.15. Insoluble cationic alpha-1,3-glucan ether,which can have a DoS of less than 0.3, can be prepared, for example, byfollowing the disclosure of U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2016/0311935(incorporated herein by reference) and adjusting the ratio ofalpha-1,3-glucan to cationic etherification agent accordingly.

Cationic alpha-1,3-glucan ether samples were washed with water and thengranulated following a procedure similar to that described in Example 1above. Each granulated sample had a powder-like appearance and a solidscontent of 38-40 wt %. The particle size was similar to that of thenon-derivatized alpha-1,3-glucan particles produced in Example 1.

A flowability assessment was made for each of the granulated cationicalpha-1,3-glucan samples. Instead of using an automated Johanson Hang-UpIndicizer® as in Example 2, a portable test stand (van der Kraan andScarlett, Proc. of PARTEC 95 and 3^(rd) European Symposium—Storage andFlow of Particulate Solids, Nuremberg, 1995, pp. 57-68; incorporatedherein by reference) was used to measure the shear strength ofcompressed glucan ether samples as a function of compression stress andthe amount of time that the compaction stress was applied. As with theJohanson device, a downward stress was applied to a sample confined in ashallow cylindrical mold. However, with the portable tester, thedownward stress was applied with iron weights corresponding to thestress that would be encountered in a silo or hopper of 4-feet indiameter. After a period of time, the weights were removed, as was thecentral portion of the bottom of the mold. The force (measured ingrams-force) necessary to push a plug of compacted cationic glucan ethersample through the bottom of the mold was then measured. For similartest materials, the shear force measured in the portable testercorrelates directly to the rathole index from the Johanson device.

Samples of granulated cationic glucan were tested for compaction timesof 1, 60, 360, and 900 minutes. Replicate tests (usually five samplesfor each test duration) were conducted. As a comparison, the granulatednon-derivatized alpha-1,3-glucan product that was tested in Example 2was tested under the same conditions. Table 2 shows the average shearstrength (as measured in grams-force) for each test.

TABLE 2 Force Necessary to Shear Compressed Samples Grams-ForceNecessary to Shear Sample Sample 1 min.^(a) 60 min.^(a) 360 min.^(a) 900min.^(a) Non-Derivatized <26 <26 not <26 Alpha-1,3-Glucan tested 40 wt %solids Cationic Ether- 77 361 321 655 Derivatized Alpha- 1,3-Glucan38-40 wt % solids ^(a)Duration of sample compaction prior to applicationof force.

The portable tester cannot resolve shear forces less than the weight ofthe plug of sample within the fixture. In this case, the weight of theplug was approximately 26 grams. In testing the non-derivatizedalpha-1,3-glucan, each sample fell from the bottom of the fixture whenthe central portion of the bottom of the mold was removed, and thus noforce from the probe was required.

Table 2 indicates that the granulated cationic alpha-1,3-glucan ethersamples had substantially higher shear strength than that of thegranulated non-derivatized alpha-1,3-glucan samples after similarcompaction times. As discussed in Example 2, the data in Table 1 wouldlead one to predict that granulated non-derivatized alpha-1,3-glucanwould experience substantial ratholing problems in handling.Consequently, one would expect even more severe ratholing problems whenhandling granulated cationic alpha-1,3-glucan. Surprisingly, however, itwas found that cationic alpha-1,3-glucan ether could be processedthrough a sequence of handling and processing devices withoutappreciable difficulty. These devices included belt conveyors, screwconveyors, screw feeders and milling machines. In one portion of theprocessing sequence, cationic alpha-1,3-glucan ether was loaded into apyramid-shaped hopper that was 3-feet×3-feet at the top and 27 inchestall, with a rectangular outlet that was 7 inches wide by 12 incheslong. A hopper with this shape would have a funnel flow dischargepattern. A standard screw conveyor below the outlet discharged thehopper. Very little intervention was necessary to overcome any ratholingof cationic alpha-1,3-glucan ether in this hopper, even though the shearstrength data (Table 2) predicted that there should have been seriousflow problems.

1. Particles with an average size of about 0.1-10 mm, wherein said particles comprise at least (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weight insoluble alpha-glucan or an insoluble cationic ether of said insoluble alpha-glucan, wherein the insoluble alpha-glucan comprises a graft copolymer having (a) a backbone comprising dextran with a molecular weight of at least about 100000 Daltons, and (b) alpha-glucan side chains comprising at least about 95% alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages.
 2. The particles of claim 1, wherein the alpha-glucan side chains have at least about 99% alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages.
 3. The particles of claim 1, wherein the particles comprise about 30%-45% by weight of said insoluble alpha-glucan or insoluble cationic ether thereof.
 4. The particles of claim 1, wherein the particles are powder-like.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The particles of claim 1, wherein the particles are produced by contacting a first composition with a particle-forming device, wherein said first composition comprises at least (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weight of said insoluble alpha-glucan.
 7. The particles of claim 6, wherein the first composition is a cake of the insoluble alpha-glucan.
 8. The particles of claim 1, wherein the particles comprise said insoluble alpha-glucan.
 9. A method of preparing a particles of claim 1, said method comprising: (a) providing a first composition comprising at least (i) about 50%-90% by weight water or an aqueous solution, and (ii) about 10%-50% by weight of said insoluble alpha-glucan or said insoluble cationic ether of said insoluble alpha-glucan, and (b) providing particles of the first composition with an average size of about 0.1-10 mm.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first composition is a cake of the insoluble alpha-glucan.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) comprises contacting the first composition with a particle-forming device, optionally wherein the particle-forming device comprises a plurality of 0.1-mm to 10-mm passages through which the first composition is forcibly transited, and optionally further wherein the particle-forming device comprises a screen.
 12. A system for storing and/or moving particles according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a container with at least one openable/closable discharge outlet located in the bottom portion of the container, wherein at least a portion of the container is tapered towards the discharge outlet, and wherein the particles are in the container and continuously flow out of the container when the discharge outlet is open.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the container is a hopper, bin, silo, or bulk bag.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the smallest cross-sectional area of the discharge outlet has a span of at least about 4 inches.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the tapering of said at least a portion of the container is at least 30 degrees from vertical.
 16. A system for transporting a particles according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a conduit and gas to transport the particles through said conduit, optionally wherein the operating pressure of the system is about 5-105 pounds per square inch absolute (psia), and optionally wherein the gas is air or an inert gas.
 17. The particles of claim 3, wherein the particles comprise said insoluble alpha-glucan.
 18. The particles of claim 1, wherein the particles comprise said insoluble cationic ether of said insoluble alpha-glucan.
 19. The particles of claim 1, wherein the particles are continuously flowable.
 20. The particles of claim 1, wherein the particles comprise less than 0.5% by weight any other substance aside from those of (i) and (ii).
 21. The particles of claim 1, wherein the dextran has at least about 95% alpha-1,6-glycosidic linkages. 